How constrained are the initial conditions of the universe?

In summary: But there are two schools of thought on this topic. One view is that the initial conditions of the universe can be almost any value, resulting in universes with different laws of physics. This is known as the multiverse and string theory's 10^500 false vacua view. The other view is that the initial conditions are more restrained and fine-tuned, as discussed by physicist Stephen Hawking in his last paper. He did not support the idea of a multiverse and preferred the idea of a more limited universe. This aligns with the idea that the universe is computational, not physical, as proposed by M.I.T. Professor Seth Lloyd. This means that the universe can be seen as a giant quantum computer, as explained in the article
  • #1
Quantum Alchemy
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Do we know? Do we have any idea?

There seems to be 2 schools of thought.

1. The initial conditions can be almost any value with universes inflating with different laws of physics. This is the multiverse and string theory 10^500 false vacua view.

2. The initial conditions are more restrained and fine tuned. In Hawking's last paper he took the this view and said he didn't like the smorgasbord view of the multiverse.

I tend to agree with Hawking and I think the universe is computational not physical. As M.I.T. Professor Seth Lloyd says the universe is a Quantum Computer.

The universe as quantum computer

This article reviews the history of digital computation, and investigates just how far the concept of computation can be taken. In particular, I address the question of whether the universe itself is in fact a giant computer, and if so, just what kind of computer it is. I will show that the universe can be regarded as a giant quantum computer. The quantum computational model of the universe explains a variety of observed phenomena not encompassed by the ordinary laws of physics. In particular, the model shows that the the quantum computational universe automatically gives rise to a mix of randomness and order, and to both simple and complex systems.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1312.4455

You have Scientist saying that space-time is a quantum error correcting code.

Holographic quantum error-correcting codes: Toy models for the bulk/boundary correspondence

We propose a family of exactly solvable toy models for the AdS/CFT correspondence based on a novel construction of quantum error-correcting codes with a tensor network structure. Our building block is a special type of tensor with maximal entanglement along any bipartition, which gives rise to an isometry from the bulk Hilbert space to the boundary Hilbert space. The entire tensor network is an encoder for a quantum error-correcting code, where the bulk and boundary degrees of freedom may be identified as logical and physical degrees of freedom respectively. These models capture key features of entanglement in the AdS/CFT correspondence; in particular, the Ryu-Takayanagi formula and the negativity of tripartite information are obeyed exactly in many cases. That bulk logical operators can be represented on multiple boundary regions mimics the Rindler-wedge reconstruction of boundary operators from bulk operators, realizing explicitly the quantum error-correcting features of AdS/CFT recently proposed by Almheiri

https://arxiv.org/abs/1503.06237

You had a recent research paper that talked about quantum logic gates found around black holes.

Spacetime manipulation of quantum information around rotating black holes

The X-ray photons emitted by the https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/physics-and-astronomy/accretion-disks around rotating black holes are polarized and acquire orbital angular momentum, two degrees of freedom that can encode quantum information. Nevertheless, escaping the accretion disk, photons are passing throughout the extreme warped and twisted spacetime near spinning black holes suffering rotations of polarization angle and changes in the orbital angular moment. We conjecture that these changes in the angle of polarization and orbital angular momentum can implement elementary quantum gates and simple quantum circuits. Consequently, when detected by an asymptotic observer, the photons emitted near rotating black holes encode quantum information that can be measured by actual quantum information technology.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003491618302586
So I see what we call physical reality like play dough. It's the parts that we use to create computers, planes and cars by using information that has been processed. So at it's core, the universe processes vasts amounts of information. So how restrained or unrestrained are the initial conditions of the universe or do we know or have an idea?
 
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  • #2
We don't know.
 

1. What do we mean by "initial conditions" of the universe?

The initial conditions of the universe refer to the state of the universe at the very beginning of its existence, including its size, temperature, and distribution of matter and energy.

2. How do we know that the initial conditions of the universe were constrained?

We know that the initial conditions of the universe were constrained because of the laws of physics and the principles of causality. These laws dictate that the universe must have begun in a particular state and have evolved in a specific way.

3. What evidence do we have for the constrained initial conditions of the universe?

One of the main pieces of evidence for the constrained initial conditions of the universe is the cosmic microwave background radiation, which is a remnant of the hot and dense early universe. Its uniformity and temperature provide strong evidence for the initial conditions being highly constrained.

4. Are there any theories that suggest the initial conditions of the universe were not constrained?

Some theories, such as the multiverse theory, propose that our universe is just one of many universes with different initial conditions. However, these theories are still highly debated and lack concrete evidence.

5. How do the initial conditions of the universe impact its evolution?

The initial conditions of the universe play a crucial role in its evolution. The distribution of matter and energy at the beginning determined how galaxies and structures formed, and the expansion rate of the universe was also influenced by the initial conditions. Without these specific conditions, the universe as we know it may not have been able to exist.

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